States should leverage Child Nutrition Fund to double investment in MMS says CS-SUNN - ITREALMS

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The 36 States across the nation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to leverage the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to double investment in Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) says the Civil Society on Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), reports ITREALMS.

Making this call in Lagos during a media engagement for improved reportage on the uptake of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for Anaemia Prevention and Control in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary, CS-SUNN, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, explained that Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is a catalytic financing matching fund by UNICEF that enables national governments to double their investments in essential nutrition commodities including MMS, for the prevention and treatment of anaemia.

The Executive Secretary, represented by the Steering Committee Team Lead on Partnership and Collaboration at CS-SUNN, Mrs. Eberechukwu Okey-Onyema, said that now is the time states across the country to take bold action through strategic investments in MMS to drastically reduce anaemia rates, improve pregnancy outcomes, and give the next generation in this state a healthier start in life.

Citing an instance with Lagos State, Okoronkwo said that through the Child Nutrition Fund, they could harness a unique co-financing mechanism to double investments in nutrition commodities like MMS and other interventions.

“We urge the Lagos state government to leverage the Child Nutrition Fund, to procure MMS and make it accessible to all pregnant women in the state,” he said, stressing that its essential to equip healthcare providers with the necessary training to effectively deliver MMS and educate mothers on the importance of this intervention.

Establishing robust systems for monitoring MMS distribution, Okoronkwo noted would prevent stockouts and ensure that supplies are consistently available in both rural and urban healthcare facilities is key.

He assured that in the coming weeks, CS-SUNN will contribute to these efforts by building the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively track and monitor MMS coverage, uptake, and adherence among pregnant women, thereby enhancing data availability and supporting evidence-based advocacy for improved maternal nutrition.

Further, CS-SUNN urged the media to continue to raise public awareness about the benefits of MMS, especially in preventing anaemia and improving maternal outcomes.

CS-SUNN, Okoronkwo assured, remained steadfast in its commitment to work alongside the state governments and other partners to improve health and nutrition outcomes in the state and country at large.

Remmy Nweke/DoP